Obsessed with turquiose...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wMrifwJ39tJHd7u0PPtIAaXRxjGxQOYk6BYqg4vG2Q3McSJ3DUiiIod42N6naX_B02JXEDzC8ov3DAzeAosX0X66mlRoZppMIs4w8nc1bZGADORsReL3O5ghfmggj4XNGUxnbHwg2kwW/s1600-h/458555245_Hzyne-S%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297697178601222770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wMrifwJ39tJHd7u0PPtIAaXRxjGxQOYk6BYqg4vG2Q3McSJ3DUiiIod42N6naX_B02JXEDzC8ov3DAzeAosX0X66mlRoZppMIs4w8nc1bZGADORsReL3O5ghfmggj4XNGUxnbHwg2kwW/s320/458555245_Hzyne-S%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 321px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoZGCQp6cqpPZnHbtpSE_yXKT7OYrfNw42i1W8xO0Zp2Eu9cABdlZ1SRpJzhlrmtnostOQJIXaSAciORMnIUwLV7xcqEPM18dr7MQV7K0cbUxngnuG-Oy29BSAh6XI-qDjoYhCEm17u0R/s1600-h/458555292_Jz4pX-L%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297695838870498706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoZGCQp6cqpPZnHbtpSE_yXKT7OYrfNw42i1W8xO0Zp2Eu9cABdlZ1SRpJzhlrmtnostOQJIXaSAciORMnIUwLV7xcqEPM18dr7MQV7K0cbUxngnuG-Oy29BSAh6XI-qDjoYhCEm17u0R/s320/458555292_Jz4pX-L%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsNulNgVANHPyPNzqLdI2X7fkugCA42a575zEkNvaP8kd2bD-Xrt7W3PBRvfBZQPG8UvrsVPv3fIoD53bMMtrwySZ3KJABCRqzIPqiVtCjj72ihy8M0ATM1S5HvL-yPnQeAaTHPfiv2XE/s1600-h/461763344_J7YRT-M%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297695692291978994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsNulNgVANHPyPNzqLdI2X7fkugCA42a575zEkNvaP8kd2bD-Xrt7W3PBRvfBZQPG8UvrsVPv3fIoD53bMMtrwySZ3KJABCRqzIPqiVtCjj72ihy8M0ATM1S5HvL-yPnQeAaTHPfiv2XE/s320/461763344_J7YRT-M%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n1Kz_bkVXpM0DskJEgAw41xHzt28jeFmTQiUOKOaeDRkYyF4qXnRE8cxwlsFS-mcTzQjrl0_sJhNEYuhtLH-3yu8MqnVB6ngAablwtKU-h2dnSg_Z_lbmTKIDCyHZ7x-PDrfVCQZNRIj/s1600-h/461763365_fZNQx-L%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297695534061667234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n1Kz_bkVXpM0DskJEgAw41xHzt28jeFmTQiUOKOaeDRkYyF4qXnRE8cxwlsFS-mcTzQjrl0_sJhNEYuhtLH-3yu8MqnVB6ngAablwtKU-h2dnSg_Z_lbmTKIDCyHZ7x-PDrfVCQZNRIj/s320/461763365_fZNQx-L%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.houseofturquoise.com/"><span style="color:#0000ff;">\</span></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.houseofturquoise.com/">http://www.houseofturquoise.com/</a> <span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;">I confess I can spend hours looking at interior design blogs! There are so many talented and creative people...they may not be designers, but they have terrific taste and assemble some pretty great rooms that can give you inspiration to do something out of the ordinary with your home. One that I think is inventive is HOUSE OF <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TURQUOISE</span>. Erin the blog hostess, loves everything and anything in the color <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">turquoise</span>. Visit it just for fun!</span></div></div></div></div>

Obsessed with turquiose...

\ http://www.houseofturquoise.com/ I confess I can spend hours looking at interior design blogs! There are so many talented and creative pe...

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Decorating Taste Test...What's your Style?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9OIAWyMphKb1YOXQUnyvExRXzzq7Mr_RSc2qbfyUkLgvYnmQP6lDlMX4dAD-VeluOwwy18mUXhhCiNKiha3W0m3rSf0ZOr7jCLJ4AkaLPhoY1Nfs-DejGUklUOMcHkaqUSPuhyyCCmqm/s1600-h/flamm-photo5B-big%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295133217109795282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9OIAWyMphKb1YOXQUnyvExRXzzq7Mr_RSc2qbfyUkLgvYnmQP6lDlMX4dAD-VeluOwwy18mUXhhCiNKiha3W0m3rSf0ZOr7jCLJ4AkaLPhoY1Nfs-DejGUklUOMcHkaqUSPuhyyCCmqm/s320/flamm-photo5B-big%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 255px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3sKzVF5AiAQAjhm5BHxVpWslyygh2MDeptQcHqlZWapvoRd-6Y2zq5bIbElU11QIteh8Koeef75fkq1zt8mJmyobbJ150imWJrlSUFR3_-ng1gDSPlceycKlhOQ23R2eH8ko-lnvb358/s1600-h/mont-photo7-big%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295133107224706738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3sKzVF5AiAQAjhm5BHxVpWslyygh2MDeptQcHqlZWapvoRd-6Y2zq5bIbElU11QIteh8Koeef75fkq1zt8mJmyobbJ150imWJrlSUFR3_-ng1gDSPlceycKlhOQ23R2eH8ko-lnvb358/s320/mont-photo7-big%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwx45UseQsxOmtE5lybYDom31LcPPcAv7F0xgnlKYfQieECd1zJJlw2fKAqCKKomwy0Es9W3FAkN7j-_gdNe8PzjV45gx_JiOF32oQjKYmLppyss1KRfVZfQWBAKMdRSsK_0KCVxY4c__d/s1600-h/fonner-photo2-big%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295132911024790562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwx45UseQsxOmtE5lybYDom31LcPPcAv7F0xgnlKYfQieECd1zJJlw2fKAqCKKomwy0Es9W3FAkN7j-_gdNe8PzjV45gx_JiOF32oQjKYmLppyss1KRfVZfQWBAKMdRSsK_0KCVxY4c__d/s320/fonner-photo2-big%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#666600;">Style Discovery Buy lots of interior design magazines that are in keeping with the architecture of your home. Clip out styles you like and start a file. You will see a style immerging. From the magazine clippings list three to five words that really describe your style and life interests.<br />1._________________________<br />2._________________________<br />3._________________________<br />4._________________________<br />5._________________________<br />Your style discovery words may be earthy, artsy with lots of texture. Or perhaps you are colorful, spare with hints of metallic. The more time you spend in this step of style discovery, the easier it will be when you go shopping for furniture and art work. You will be able, in two or three words, to ask with each purchase, is this my style?<br />A helpful tool to use in this step is to take the time to create an inspiration board. As an interior designer I have skipped this step with clients in the past, thinking I knew exactly what they wanted and found out later that I was wrong. The inspiration board will give you a clear view, through images, of exactly what you are striving for. Make it a family affair; give family members an opportunity to offer their input.<br />To create an inspiration board, go to an art supply store and ask for foam core, it comes in black and white. I like black. Buy some spray glue too. From the clippings of looks that you have gathered, cut out images that best describe the look and, more important, the feel or mood of the room you wish to create. Make a collage with the images you have pulled together. Once you have a pleasing arrangement glue the images on the foam core. With this inspiration board you can have a dialogue with the whole family about what the direction of your rooms will be. Now is the time to find out what the likes and dislikes are before money is spent on furniture that cannot be taken back.</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;">Designer Secret: When shopping for just the right pieces ask yourself, “Does this lamp, chair or art piece fit within my three to five words?” If not, then you are off track. You have not found the right piece yet. I believe that people are drawn to the same colors that they like to wear. You want to look good IN your house! So take a look at your wardrobe, are there dominant colors that you could draw from?</span></strong> </div></div></div>

Decorating Taste Test...What's your Style?

Style Discovery Buy lots of interior design magazines that are in keeping with the architecture of your home. Clip out styles you like and s...

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Trends 2009 Visual Power -Personalize Your Home!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KSfPxC11IlDfdosenN5LRVDXR9mIACce_DC3wjKyRLrqbHgHsTkOeMebCu817paBtjpUFwIpbg9hbTIKooXIaE1aaea5OlrdaRv1r6ALRNHkKQI9F82djSVKK9xHOpIRYJow3JOfAzZy/s1600-h/bookcase+photo+002.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292676554850830962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KSfPxC11IlDfdosenN5LRVDXR9mIACce_DC3wjKyRLrqbHgHsTkOeMebCu817paBtjpUFwIpbg9hbTIKooXIaE1aaea5OlrdaRv1r6ALRNHkKQI9F82djSVKK9xHOpIRYJow3JOfAzZy/s320/bookcase+photo+002.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqdjv5Y6opCqMaYYnUnyCaVj-FPEW8ffr4LwUy6DlWG4KxbrS-TuCtYuTOd9zoU3r_TCZdaI6UhfHOP5gnRyncR59Vs0DJvDeqt1mh3yHFCTVKs8adx88aSGoBs3Z1_dEwzRKCwq3agL2/s1600-h/DSC_6682.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292670617934142770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqdjv5Y6opCqMaYYnUnyCaVj-FPEW8ffr4LwUy6DlWG4KxbrS-TuCtYuTOd9zoU3r_TCZdaI6UhfHOP5gnRyncR59Vs0DJvDeqt1mh3yHFCTVKs8adx88aSGoBs3Z1_dEwzRKCwq3agL2/s320/DSC_6682.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 221px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;">The trend in all areas of life is personalization. Technology has permitted us to order custom sized jeans, custom car interiors even custom showers made to perfectly fit our bodies. Your home is your most personal possession! How can you personalize your space and put your individual imprint on it?<br />Personalizing your space is the only way to really feel at home in your home! Giving a home authenticity is the most important ingredient. There is only one YOU and your home needs to reflect who you are.<br />What are your interests? Do you travel? Gather your favorite travel photos and create a gallery wall. Printing your photos in black and white or sepia tones unites the wall and makes the subject matter more important and artistic.<br />Do you collect? Display your collections! Designate a bookcase or install a shelf above a doorway or line a room in shelves and carefully group your collectibles. Be sure your treasures can be seen. Pot lights and directional recessed lights can be added by an electrician.<br />Accessories are the magical ingredients that make a room come alive. Take your time and buy once. Be sure that your accessories mean something to you. Tell your story with your accessories.<br />Display a ceramic bowl from your children's art class. Mix old and new pieces together. Don't be afraid of using your grandmother's silver tray on a rustic leather ottoman. These touches give meaning and history to your home.<br />Bring out objects that you have collected on memorable family vacations.<br />Accessorizing with personal objects is the way to give a home your imprint. Indulge in the extraordinary. From the andirons in the fireplace, the mirror in your powder room, to your tableware, keep in mind your overall style direction.<br />I had a client that travels and wanted to display the tapestry she found on one of her trips. These are the ingredients that make a home uniquely yours.<br />Every design element needs to mean something to you. Take your time to find just the right pieces -- you will be glad you did.<br />Fresh flowers and candles will be the only items you will need to purchase. When you take your time with this last step you will not want to constantly buy things...you will have EXACTLY what you want the first time!<br /><br />To see dramatic before and after photos illustrating these concepts visit :<a href="http://www.kimberleejaynes.com/portfolio.asp">http://www.kimberleejaynes.com/portfolio.asp</a></span></div></div>

Trends 2009 Visual Power -Personalize Your Home!

The trend in all areas of life is personalization. Technology has permitted us to order custom sized jeans, custom car interiors even custom...

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Paint Trends 2009

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNvCghclQMIhZ3V46jt84olyg6J7Ld3hjDT1Grtt8FOjM7VAoX5Qo2Xc5M-C9k7umTpiyBstUftRA_9rIol6uga8aMF4fjZ_cheMw5q-X3HUA4G-k_IniVI4Mz5d0rsIUoZgM77KOhlrQ/s1600-h/Web+site+photos+070.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290981980163040978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNvCghclQMIhZ3V46jt84olyg6J7Ld3hjDT1Grtt8FOjM7VAoX5Qo2Xc5M-C9k7umTpiyBstUftRA_9rIol6uga8aMF4fjZ_cheMw5q-X3HUA4G-k_IniVI4Mz5d0rsIUoZgM77KOhlrQ/s320/Web+site+photos+070.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;">We designer types tend to use Benjamin Moore paint when we are specifying paint colors. Their paint has more depth of color than other brands and covers very well.<br />Doty Horn, Director of Color & Design at Benjamin Moore, scours the earth in search of trends. She works on color trends a full two years in advance. Doty's PowerPoint presentation of in- vogue happenings gathered from around the world, showed everything from chairs that look like nests to furniture made from melted PVC pipes. Doty distills all these wacky, out-there movements into usable color trends for real life. Horn's analysis identifies colors that will be popular in everything from cars to appliances to home accessories and interior design.<br />Well, Here is the news: According to Benjamin Moore's Color Pulse 2009, there are four main color trends that will be dominating our surroundings next year and beyond. </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;"><div><br /><strong>Raw:</strong> Horn says this palette is derived from the push toward minimalism, pairing life down to its most authentic. Horn said this palette is derived from unfinished wood, cinder blocks and other "make-do" materials and includes shades of white, sand and gray.<br />Benjamin Moore's "Raw" colors include: Chantilly Lace OC-65, Mascarpone AF-20, Collector's Item AF-45, Fossil AF-65, Frappe AF-85, Hush AF-95, Jute AF-80, Tucson Winds 1024, Sterling 1591, Storm AF-700, Steel Wool 2121-20, Gray 2121-10 </div><div><br /><strong>Urban Silence:</strong> Horn said this group of colors reflects the changing delineation between life in the city and life outside the city. "This is where the trees become houses and the houses become trees," she explained.<br />As more urban buildings incorporate rooftop gardens and shipping containers are converted into living spaces, the city becomes a softer, more livable place. Horn said this palette reflects these changes by mixing the gray tones of urban living with vibrant, organic colors like green, rust and terra cotta.<br />Benjamin Moore's "Urban Silence" colors include: Shadow Gray 2125-40, Lapland AF-410, Yellow Tone 370, Wasabi AF-430, Winding Vines 532, Old Gold 167, Glen Ridge Gold 301, Rattan AF-375, Rustic Taupe 999, Abbey Brown 1225, Bronze Metallic Bronze-30 (Studio Finish color), Copper Metallic Copper-40 (Studio Finish color) </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;"><div><br /><strong>Simplexity:</strong> To understand this color palette, think about the pixels that make up a computer screen: thousands of tiny dots in different shades that come together to make a whole. These are colors that have more to them than meets the eye.<br />"The colors here are very complex, they have a lot of depth to them, but they're easy to use, so that's the simplicity part of that," Horn says. For example, she said, think of a color that looks black, but it's really purple. "It's almost black but it has an undercurrent of blue and red running underneath it and it just has a rich texture and a rich landscape, and the way that the light hits it, you start seeing the nuances of how those colors flip underneath it."<br />Benajamin Moore's "Simplexity" colors include: Thunder AF-685, Meditation AF-395, Amsterdam AF-550, Carob AF-160, Caponata AF-650, Merlot Red 2006-10, Arroyo Red 2085-10, Dried Mustard 2158-10, Majestic Violet 2068-10, Hidden Falls 714, Buttered Yam AF-230, Gargoyle 1546 </div><div><br /><strong>Private Identity:</strong> With the "Private Identity" palette, Horn said she and the other color trends experts were thinking about how we express our individuality in such an overwhelming, populated world. Here, the colors are bright, bold and unexpected.<br />"You're your own person so you're going to put together a personal statement color," Horn said. "You could do a bright red mixed with a powder blue and put a bold gold against it. So you've got this contrast of very bold color and then a very light color and that gives it an unexpected twist." Benjamin Moore's "Private Identity" Colors include: Desert Rose 2094-50, Mango Punch 154, Perennial 405, Pacific Palisades 762, Tricycle Red 2000-20, Blushing Red 2079-20, Thunderbird 675, Lucerne AF-530, Fire and Ice 1329, Black Satin (High Gloss) 2131-10, Silver Metallic Silver-20 (Studio Finish color), Gold Metallic Gold-10 (Studio Finish color)<br />(The symbols after the colors listed above indicate their collection, so ones with an AF mean that they are part of the Affinity group of colors, OC stands for Off-White Colors and the ones with numbers are in their regular group of classic colors).<br /><br />Don't know where to start? Which colors story to use?<br />I think you can use colors that are in keeping with the geography in which you live, the architecture of your home and most of all PERSONAL CHOICE. If you live on the 28th floor of a condo with a view of a major mountain and you over look a river ...its all about the view. So keep your colors to a dull roar. The color palette of RAW may be a good choice for you. If you live in a gray climate and want color, the rich hues of the SIMPLEXITY palette may be the right choice for you.<br />I believe the real trend is personalization. People are tired of others telling them what is good for their home. When choosing colors think about what color looks good on you. What do you like to wear? What do you want to feel when you walk through the door? Color defiantly evokes a feeling. You may want to buy a sample of the color you want to you use and paint it on "mighty board." it's a thin, ridged plastic 2x2 sheet of material that will not warp when painted. You can get it at most Benjamin Moore paint stores. See what the color looks like at night and during the day, before you paint the whole room.<br />Most important, be daring - it's only paint. You can easily re-do it for a few bucks.<br />Happy painting!</span></div>

Paint Trends 2009

We designer types tend to use Benjamin Moore paint when we are specifying paint colors. Their paint has more depth of color than other brand...

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Invest in Your Home

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAsKYcPCfMS8fLtTV-a3tYhrbDOGx1rnvzSEx9gV-OlUYuyPSi8UODKipZrkgALYXdOWvPRbHZv43L6EmMCWrX6pg26IjCnpdnAFeAI21BkPxQBQh3tRfbQwaRD_xF6vFP0EHn57t3B5s/s1600-h/mont-photo5%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289931289170256578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAsKYcPCfMS8fLtTV-a3tYhrbDOGx1rnvzSEx9gV-OlUYuyPSi8UODKipZrkgALYXdOWvPRbHZv43L6EmMCWrX6pg26IjCnpdnAFeAI21BkPxQBQh3tRfbQwaRD_xF6vFP0EHn57t3B5s/s320/mont-photo5%5B1%5D.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;"><strong>My friend Brian Ramsay</strong></span> <span style="color:#666600;">(<a href="http://www.realtytrust.com/brianramsay">www.realtytrust.com/brianramsay</a>) </span><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;">is a savvy real estate agent who keeps his fingers on the pulse of what is happening in the market. He sent me some great info on how to improve your property value.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;"><strong>You can't go wrong with a minor kitchen remodel.</strong> Since remodeling magazine first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">introduced</span> the minor kitchen remodel category in 2004 it has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">consistently</span> remained among the highest return on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">investment</span> (ROI) <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">projects</span>. Last year, the minor <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">kitchen</span> remodel had the highest <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ROI of</span> any interior project.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;"><strong>Consider living space additions.</strong> A remodel that increases living space is gernerally a good investment. When repurposing a room, the gerneral rule of thumb is that unused or storage areas should be converted to livable space, such as a bedroom or bathroom. Keep in mind that repurposing a bedroom is typically a bad idea; home office additons offer a low value return.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;"><strong>Some other good advice from Brian:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;">Home values made a historic jump in the past decade, and a home remains the best long-term investment opportunity. On average, homeowners reside in a home for six years. Historically, a home will appreciate over the span of six years, whcih is too long to be affected by market spikes.</span></div>

Invest in Your Home

My friend Brian Ramsay ( www.realtytrust.com/brianramsay ) is a savvy real estate agent who keeps his fingers on the pulse of what is happe...

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Do you stop & smell the roses?

<span style="color:#666600;">A friend (thank you Sydney) from my book club just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">shared</span> this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">with</span></span> me and I thought it was profound!</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.<br />Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.<br />A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.<br />A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.<br />The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.<br />In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.<br />No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.<br />Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.00 each.<br />This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?<br />One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:<br />If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">To read the whole article click link below:</span><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html</a>

Do you stop & smell the roses?

A friend (thank you Sydney) from my book club just shared this with me and I thought it was profound! A man sat at a metro station in Wash...

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Respect Your Ranch- AFTER & BEFORE

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-EMIo49JYKz0EvIu-O9mOf8CRrQyefCVHYpC_Jg5LqSdCF39t5qJXrtnFN5U2hEZCBQuBHg73ffmP2ypPsqF4grvjcbegiah-y6KZ811TZJ0a3-_ogiKTIItetRM1ARm8dBiwLIKhhZr/s1600-h/sw-portland-photo2B%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288988720751963138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-EMIo49JYKz0EvIu-O9mOf8CRrQyefCVHYpC_Jg5LqSdCF39t5qJXrtnFN5U2hEZCBQuBHg73ffmP2ypPsqF4grvjcbegiah-y6KZ811TZJ0a3-_ogiKTIItetRM1ARm8dBiwLIKhhZr/s320/sw-portland-photo2B%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCQ7OYyaqOKs0Q8zTXf9djYLArYCXqcdnBJAwlsTb8f51Estn4BjzjnQAU3iW6P9Qo7tKqviSQosG9NuI7kqPcrPATeZaoeAWu9NzyT4sVJaPzQ6zIkAAmiErfnkuQBJcgyxzSx8FvXva/s1600-h/sw-portland-photo2A%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288988503999785714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCQ7OYyaqOKs0Q8zTXf9djYLArYCXqcdnBJAwlsTb8f51Estn4BjzjnQAU3iW6P9Qo7tKqviSQosG9NuI7kqPcrPATeZaoeAWu9NzyT4sVJaPzQ6zIkAAmiErfnkuQBJcgyxzSx8FvXva/s320/sw-portland-photo2A%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYgf_qU_05l1J2Wv2lXzbNH3EaYf_M3nPwOKkkW_n5EAjSQOFBORyHRfj96vu6UrOMy-319vuAU_JdfTTQwCyzYaThVgcJz1Fn8VEaxO8BifFnAKMX5uPU7l2zW0RgSEJbllNgemDDz2j/s1600-h/sw-portland-photo4B-big%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288986317185682594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYgf_qU_05l1J2Wv2lXzbNH3EaYf_M3nPwOKkkW_n5EAjSQOFBORyHRfj96vu6UrOMy-319vuAU_JdfTTQwCyzYaThVgcJz1Fn8VEaxO8BifFnAKMX5uPU7l2zW0RgSEJbllNgemDDz2j/s320/sw-portland-photo4B-big%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0pcdSHxY4t7WqrhAk-shZ75pz-PTZVCqJUU2YE9gJPZsufsFEY_YKnBzSHFBb_dsdipc7OZxyf_xcEvoa-O4VnFrfcLlqGsxFs80t3szI1khWdBIusoeZnU8C5OsNhELpvhyphenhyphenTPHT2OsZ/s1600-h/sw-portland-photo4A%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288986181674865282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0pcdSHxY4t7WqrhAk-shZ75pz-PTZVCqJUU2YE9gJPZsufsFEY_YKnBzSHFBb_dsdipc7OZxyf_xcEvoa-O4VnFrfcLlqGsxFs80t3szI1khWdBIusoeZnU8C5OsNhELpvhyphenhyphenTPHT2OsZ/s320/sw-portland-photo4A%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae0-8mEo9Z3yQahiPR9E_9U1q2OiNSIBnuub3i9JYpqRrsy7NHprr78EYahD1XEQyX2cqRXui0rBmsWLq88od2EGSKwp2-MIOVPUUSrUWP5R7ZZp1gvMFTbwhNlEHJPsfRvvchxHsz0BP/s1600-h/sw-portland-photo5B-big%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288985550905140738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae0-8mEo9Z3yQahiPR9E_9U1q2OiNSIBnuub3i9JYpqRrsy7NHprr78EYahD1XEQyX2cqRXui0rBmsWLq88od2EGSKwp2-MIOVPUUSrUWP5R7ZZp1gvMFTbwhNlEHJPsfRvvchxHsz0BP/s320/sw-portland-photo5B-big%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdd0IICjguDHZwkXKBwJrLiP5ICf5u_1jvEQmYc80Jk9hGQoaIHnqW2qbmsXBBMuqTG8iKH52jW81E0B6mGSD5ZqrPC-c3j8dXnkuH_YTcg0v6TxysC4C2IgHh_4SsTYjDhDBptcX7zWQ/s1600-h/sw-portland-photo5A%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288985420928111730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdd0IICjguDHZwkXKBwJrLiP5ICf5u_1jvEQmYc80Jk9hGQoaIHnqW2qbmsXBBMuqTG8iKH52jW81E0B6mGSD5ZqrPC-c3j8dXnkuH_YTcg0v6TxysC4C2IgHh_4SsTYjDhDBptcX7zWQ/s320/sw-portland-photo5A%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;"><br /></div></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;">One family that engaged my services had a beautiful contemporary home with vaulted wood and exposed beam ceilings and large plate-glass windows with clean, contemporary lines. They had remodeled their kitchen and were stumped by their living and dining rooms. They said they didn’t use the living and dining rooms; they just quickly passed through on their way to other rooms. Upon entering I could see why.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;">When you respect the architecture of your home the furniture will fit like a well-tailored garment. What once was frumpy is now refreshing. My clients said “Your design continues to provide lots of enjoyment for our family. While the living room feels cozy with just the three of us, it works equally well with a house full of people! The flow is great and the flexible seating really works well without feeling crowded.”</span></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Respect Your Ranch- AFTER & BEFORE

One family that engaged my services had a beautiful contemporary home with vaulted wood and exposed beam ceilings and large plate-glass wind...

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Country is back!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6JBGXukyiAKJoVvMhyphenhyphenp5stdv9WTfNX-A8l9knwa3dryWu7qTwtbdjxN5pAEG9lnYD1BzVPB6huRuJtOQYd5X5zoNuu913uBFr09OplNyVm0UEYDbksHopZM7QcvnilMp1eAXdzQrF_Bd/s1600-h/R004-01%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288384767414386770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6JBGXukyiAKJoVvMhyphenhyphenp5stdv9WTfNX-A8l9knwa3dryWu7qTwtbdjxN5pAEG9lnYD1BzVPB6huRuJtOQYd5X5zoNuu913uBFr09OplNyVm0UEYDbksHopZM7QcvnilMp1eAXdzQrF_Bd/s320/R004-01%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeofK-uUETySmdHi6mrIYlGqmg511s-Qk_k1SRQfD4MtsWNP-KD5NuzlAFbdyYvV1GmYZCJplv0SUw8x6o9M3a1g8WnstW56wU8qxO60bPPTI5Flsvg5F_j2IniHMVj7Jugk94VLAwcXL/s1600-h/elliot-photo8B-big%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288384281259581842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeofK-uUETySmdHi6mrIYlGqmg511s-Qk_k1SRQfD4MtsWNP-KD5NuzlAFbdyYvV1GmYZCJplv0SUw8x6o9M3a1g8WnstW56wU8qxO60bPPTI5Flsvg5F_j2IniHMVj7Jugk94VLAwcXL/s320/elliot-photo8B-big%5B1%5D.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOlh1q_ZqaWZuPvu7sBBqv9T7QGbVf-aoHNzPjgZew9K8A4Jx0qNomX_iFjHJXug9eDW69HXw-luSSbJuwJR78k8HqJA1uA0XFfaCCPLfFkYTtTGbmfq_ppbUlIjmvFRA9cMHz-2gUrmB/s1600-h/nightowlpeek5%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287330991891230930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOlh1q_ZqaWZuPvu7sBBqv9T7QGbVf-aoHNzPjgZew9K8A4Jx0qNomX_iFjHJXug9eDW69HXw-luSSbJuwJR78k8HqJA1uA0XFfaCCPLfFkYTtTGbmfq_ppbUlIjmvFRA9cMHz-2gUrmB/s320/nightowlpeek5%5B1%5D.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#666600;">Yes I know you didn't like it the first time!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;">But it's back...in a new way of course...it's not your normal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">country</span> criterion. Unexpected mixtures of contemporary and country ingredients make up the new country <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">crib</span>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;">Ralph Lauren has done country for as long as I can remember and he is dusting it off and rolling out his new take on it with the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hudson</span> Valley collection. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;"><a href="http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/rlhome/collection/fa08_hudsonvalley_explore.asp">http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/rlhome/collection/fa08_hudsonvalley_explore.asp</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;">I have my own vision of how I want to introduce country into my client's home...I used a farm table ...no patch work here...but a good old worn wood table with thrush seated chairs sitting pretty on bare wood floor in an extremely contemporary Elliot Tower penthouse.</span> <div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#666600;">It's not grandma country...its a combo of new and old. If you have a old desk pair it with a sleek modern chair...that sort of thing. If you use nothing but old stuff you end up feeling like you are living at great Aunt Della's house. </span></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>

Country is back!

Yes I know you didn't like it the first time! But it's back...in a new way of course...it's not your normal country criterion. ...

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<a href="http://strongmail.multiview.com/track?type=click&mailingid=40001&messageid=38200&databaseid=3800&serial=1191452028&emailid=events@asidoregon.org&userid=25941&extra=&&&2017&&&http://www.europeanvoice.com/Article/63336.aspx" title="">Lights Off for Incandescent Bulbs in 2012? </a>from European Voice EU executive believes switch to energy-efficient light bulbs could save as much electricity each year as Romania currently uses. The use of incandescent light bulbs, used in household lamps, car headlamps, electric flashlights, decorative and advertising lighting, could be banned by 2012, under new EU plans to cut electricity consumption and reduce carbon emissions.<br /><br />To see all kinds of new lighting options check out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bev</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Landfair's</span> blog at:<br /><a href="http://landfairfurniture.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-kinds-of-lighting.html">New Kinds Of Lighting</a> <a href="http://landfairfurniture.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-kinds-of-lighting.html">http://landfairfurniture.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-kinds-of-lighting.html</a><br />"We've seen a lot of different means of lighting a room, including wall paper that lights up, to all sorts of crystals that are lit from within, to LED lighting, even a lamp that looks like it's dripping blood. "

Lights Off for Incandescent Bulbs in 2012? from European Voice EU executive believes switch to energy-efficient light bulbs could save as mu...

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